Contributing author Joe High is the Coach at 4th Quarter Financial Coach. Find him on Twitter at @4thQtrCoach
Are rain barrels appearing in your neighborhood? Do your friends have compost piles? Are you visiting estate sales and flea markets on the weekend? Do you turn off the water while brushing your teeth?
Not everyone can grow his own food, as Ed Begley Jr., does, but many people are adopting more environmentally friendly lifestyles. Here are a few trends to consider:
Use Sustainable Sources and Recycled Materials
If you listen to conversations about home remodeling projects, you may discover that hardwood floors often are made of sustainably harvested wood, bamboo, or other types of eco-friendly material.
As you page through catalogs, you’ll see that some of the trendiest furniture combines reclaimed wood, recycled plastic, and cast-off metal.
Recycling existing furniture and materials and using sustainable sources for new materials, preserves trees and forests. That helps prevent landslides, provides habitats for animals, absorbs carbon dioxide, and generates more oxygen.
Choose Natural Alternatives
Take a deep breath – what do you smell? Is that lavender and peppermint? Is there a hint of vinegar in the air, a trace of citrus?
If so, the people living in the house you’re visiting may be reducing their exposure to harsh chemical cleaners by embracing alternatives made of natural disinfectants, bactericides, and antiseptics, like eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender.
You can make a fragrant and effective kitchen cleanser by mixing baking soda with rosemary, thyme, cinnamon, and citrus oils.
Save Power – and Money
Did you know that you can save money by plugging your appliances – toasters, coffeemakers, microwave ovens, televisions, and more – into power strips? It’s true, as long as you turn the power strips off when you’re not using the appliances.
Appliances consume about 1,000 kilowatt hours per year, per household, while in standby mode. Last January, the average cost of electricity was 11 cents per kilowatt hour in the United States. You could save energy and money – about $100 each year – by turning off electronics you’re not using.
Green is becoming mainstream. Whether goaded by younger members of your household or driven by your own conscience, Americans are finding that eco-friendly behavior offers health and financial benefits, as well as environmental ones.
Originally posted 2009-07-21 09:30:00.
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Very informative. I am always looking for new cleaning ideas, especially if I get to throw out another chemical cleaner! I have lots of scented oils in my house since my husband is a Massage Therapist. I am making the kitchen cleanser today. Thanks so much for this post!